Use of thermo-sensitive gel for controlled delivery of alk-5 inhibitors to the eye and related methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a methods for extending the period of filtering bleb survival and/or providing for long term bleb survival following Glaucoma Filtration Surgery by delivering an ALK-5 inhibitor to a wound area (the surgical site) of a patient's eye. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for the controlled delivery of an ALK-5 inhibitor to patient's eye using a thermo-sensitive polymer formulation, wherein the ALK-5 inhibitor is first contained in the polymer formulation at a temperature sufficient to maintain the formulation as a liquid and then applied to the eye wound opening, wherein the formulation turns to a gel. The use of the thermo-sensitive gel with ALK-5 inhibitor contained therein, provides for longer term bleb survival following Glaucoma Filtration Surgery (GFS) on a patient's eye. Thus, the present invention is particularly effective in inhibiting ocular fibrotic wound response following GFS.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.